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North Bay will host the 2015 Ontario Special Olympics Winter Games, an event that will bring more than 400 athletes, coaches and their families to city for four days of competition.

The event was announced Tuesday at the North Bay Police Service headquarters on Princess Street, where Special Olympics representatives gathered with city officials, local politicians, including Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Jay Aspin and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, and others to share the news.

“We know that this is the right place for the games to be, and we know they're going to be highly successful,” said Glenn MacDonell, president and chief executive officer of Special Olympics Ontario.

MacDonell pointed to the city's long history as a sports community, its track record at hosting events and its facilities, including Laurentian Ski Hill, as key factors in the decision in selecting North Bay to host the event.

The games are expected to feature 400 to 450 Special Olympic athletes, including an estimated 15 to 20 local participants, who will compete in events such as alpine skiing, curling, figure skating, nordic skiing, snowshoeing and speed skating.

Volunteers, sponsors, partners and fundraising will also be needed to pull the event off.

Const. Merv Shantz has been appointed games manager and will be working solely beginning next month on organizing for the event.

“To say that we are thrilled to be hosting the 2015 Ontario Special Olympics Winter Games would be an understatement,” said Chief Paul Cook, noting the law enforcement, including the local service, has had long-standing relationship with Special Olympics.

For those who haven't attended a Special Olympics event, he said “it is an unbelievable experience,” in which the participants celebrate their love of sport and camaraderie.

Coun. Dave Mendicino said the city is pleased to be hosting the event. He noted that there's been a concerted effort on behalf of the city to attract such “sports tourism” events. And he said the 2015 Special Olympics Winter Games is a textbook example of the sort of events the city has in mind.